Yankees' CC Sabathia unconcerned with results in Thunder rehab stint

TRENTON — The baseball gods must have wanted to see CC Sabathia make his rehab start for the Thunder on Wednesday night against the Portland Sea Dogs.

Only moments after the Yankees’ lefthander was pulled in the top of the fourth inning, the skies opened up at Arm & Hammer Park, forcing the game to be delayed almost immediately. The storm was so severe that the power was briefly knocked out at the stadium.

“Perfect timing,” Sabathia joked after the game. “To be able get it in, I really wanted to face the hitters and not have to finish it up in the bullpen or on the side.”

Sabathia wasn’t particularly effective against the Sea Dogs, giving up five runs — three of them earned — on five hits in 3 2/3 innings, with two strikeouts and a walk. Two of those runs scored after he left the game, as reliever Fred Lewis let the inherited pair score on a Shannon Wilkerson double.

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The damage probably could have been worse as Portland hit a number of hard line drives that found Thunder outfielders. But like with most major-league rehabbers, Sabathia said he was less concerned with the results than about how he felt physically.

“For me, it’s just feel right now,” he said. “Results will come when it matters. Right now I’m just trying to make sure I can give max effort out there and not feel anything.”

Sabathia was originally scheduled to rehab with the Thunder on Thursday, as was widely reported.

“They told us originally it was Thursday and changed their minds,” manager Tony Franklin said before the game. “They are expecting some rain tomorrow, so he’s ready to pitch. We’ll see him out there on the mound, and keep him on as much of a regular schedule as we can.”

Sabathia was placed on the disabled list May 11 with right knee inflammation, and it was later determined the condition is degenerative. In eight starts with the big-league club this season, he went 3-4 with a 5.28 ERA.

According to FanGraphs, his average fastball velocity was only 89.6 mph, compared to 91.3 last year and 92.4 in 2012. Against Portland, his fastball registered mostly between 90 and 92 on the stadium scoreboard.

For his part, Sabathia didn’t appear too concerned.

“I think you guys make too much of my velocity,” he said. “I’ve been pitching for 14 or 15 years now, so it is what it is.”

Sabathia is expected to make either one or two more starts in the minors before returning to the Yankees, but he said he hadn’t been informed when or where his next start would be.

About the Author

Former Trentonian sportswriter and utility man. New York Jets, Princeton basketball, Mercer/Bucks county high schools, Trenton Thunder. Tulane grad. Former Times-Picayune and NFL.com intern. Reach the author at nperuffo@trentonian.com
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